Family of Sonya Massey speaks out on recently released body cam footage of fatal police shooting

The tragic shooting of Sonya Massey by a sheriff’s deputy in her own home has left her family devastated and seeking justice. James Wilburn, Massey’s father, expressed his horror at the body cam footage of his daughter’s final moments, calling it the most heart-wrenching thing his family has ever seen. Despite the pain of watching the footage, Wilburn is grateful that it exists, as it revealed the truth of what happened to Massey.

Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and mother of two, was shot and killed by Deputy Sean Grayson after calling 911 for help, believing there was a prowler at her residence. Grayson, now facing charges of first-degree murder and other offenses, claimed Massey came at him with boiling water, but prosecutors described her as calm and non-aggressive during the interaction.

The release of the body cam footage by Illinois State Police has shed light on Massey’s final moments, showing a tense exchange between her and the deputies. Massey can be heard apologizing and expressing fear for her life before Grayson fatally shoots her. Wilburn believes his daughter feared for her life and had a premonition of what was to come.

President Joe Biden has also spoken out about Massey’s death, emphasizing the need for all Americans to be able to call for help without fearing for their lives. The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, has called for justice for Massey and criticized the discriminatory justice system that allowed her tragic death to occur.

As the family continues to seek justice for Sonya Massey, her story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Black Americans in their interactions with law enforcement.